"So Usagi is Sailor Moon," Seiya hummed as she flopped face down onto the couch.
"It appears so," Taiki added as she sat in the armchair.
"What were you doing with Seiya's crush?" Yaten teased as she dropped herself down next to the blonde.
"Why do you think I was there because of her?" Haruka snorted, her chin raised defiantly into the air. Then, she relented when the teasing lime green eyes failed to flinch. "I ran into her at the arcade," Haruka shrugged.
"That's pretty far away from the arcade to follow someone," Yaten glared, the lime green stare penetrating the blonde.
"I saw her there and followed her when she was alone. I wanted to apologize for Seiya's rude outburst," a sly smile coming to her lips as navy blue eyes narrowed at her.
"It's nice that you would go out of your way to repair my honor," the singer sarcastically thanked the blonde. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"Don't get used to it," the blonde growled before turning back to her teammates. "I sensed an energy beaming from her. It felt like she was calling out to someone."
"She's capable of the same power as when we sing?" Yaten questioned, suddenly interested in the details of the petite blonde.
"She can do it without speaking a word. I wasn't sure it would draw an enemy to us, but I wanted to investigate. So I approached her to confirm that she was the source of what I felt."
"Well, you were right about something being different about her," Taiki pondered from behind her book.
"She reminds me of Kakyuu, so I wanted to know more," Haruka sighed. Her bandmates snapped their heads toward her at the name of the missing princess. "She had the same kind of drawing that Kakyuu does. Just like we used that signal to come to this planet. I think she can help us find her."
"She can somehow amplify our message?"
"You think she can be trusted? You saw how fast they were to attack us."
"They're on their own. We're only here to find our princess. We don't need to save them."
"Yeah, you're right," Haruka sighed. Resigning that there was no easy to get them to understand, she nervously bit her lower lip. She couldn't explain too many things: the power of the younger blonde, why her attack rebounded and hit the other senshi, or why she was called to follow her there. "We need to focus on finding Kakyuu," she added in resolution. Only when they find the Fireball Princess will she begin to answer many of these questions.
~*~*~
Usagi looked over the resting forms of Makoto and Ami lying on either side of the small medical room. She wished either was awake to help her understand her confused thoughts. Ami, with her rational mind and logical thinking, could find a way to make sense of why she had not heard from Mamoru. The blue haired genius would come up with some brilliant way to figure it out, maybe tracing the postage stamp on the postcard or looking up Mamoru's number in America. She wasn't sure how, but that was why she needed Ami.
Shifting her gaze to the resting brunette, she smiled as she thought Makoto would keep her from worrying about her boyfriend with some thoughtful words and maybe would have Usagi help with a flower arrangement. Perhaps even a delicious cake made just for her. She giggled at the thought. They would be able to figure out something. They always come through. She folded her hands as she shifted to stare into her lap. She needed them to wake up first.
"Usagi, what are you doing in here?" A stern but carrying voice called from the door. "They are both fine and need to rest a little. We shouldn't disturb them," Setsuna scolded as she leaned her arm onto the door frame.
"I didn't want them to be alone when they woke up," the younger girl shrugged.
"I know you don't, but they will sleep for a while. So you can rest yourself, and you'll still be able to be there when they awake." Setsuna motioned for the shorter girl to follow her from the room. Usagi sighed before lifting herself off the chair to follow the green haired woman. Glancing back at the two sleeping girls, she knew that they would be able to help her. She just had to find a way to tell them how much she had been suffering without him.
"Well?" The older woman questioned once she stepped out into the command center. She shifted her weight under the garnet stare; the older woman crossed her arms over her torso. As the gaze penetrated her, Usagi realized they couldn't understand her loneliness and longing. She decided against sharing her concerns with Mamoru instantly, deciding they had more to deal with these new attacks, mainly if they were down two members.
"Well, what?" She pointed back, unknowing what the Guardian of Time was asking. It wasn't the first time since the older woman sometimes seemed to have a hunch of certain events, and Michiru would need to remind her to explain herself to the younger girls. Usagi looked around, noticing that the teal haired woman was absent, concern flashing on her face as she tried to only hall as scared as she was of Setsuna.
"Why were you at the park alone?" Setsuna asked, picking up on the line of questioning she had at the park.
"We let her go alone," Rei jumped up, irritated at the accusations thrown at Usagi. "She asked to talk to Mamoru, and we gave her some space. It's not her fault that those aliens attacked her!" The miko yelled, fed up that the Outers were wasting so much time lecturing the younger girl when they should be doing their job and preventing those outsiders from arriving in the first place. Her temper flaring, she was ready to tell the tall woman just that when Usagi placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks, Rei," she smiled at the raven haired girl. "I did ask to go alone. I didn't think there was any danger in it. Has that changed?" She asked, Setsuna blinking at the change in questioning. "Do we know the new enemy were are dealing with?" Doubling down on the new direction, avoiding questions on Mamoru— or Haruka — and focusing on how to help her friends in the other room.
"The attacker identified herself as Sailor Aluminum Siren," Luna spoke up, noticing Usagi's move to shift the conversation. "Her power seemed to come from these bracelets," the cat added as a picture appeared on the hologram.
"What of the other Senshi there, Sailor Star Storm? Her attack was amplified by those bracelets as well. So they must be working together." Minako pounded her fist as the hologram changed to the out-of-focus picture they had of the second Senshi that appeared that night. They still did not see the other three that showed up, carefully sticking to the shadows.
"No!" Usagi called out, Minako spinning on her heels to stare at her, the question clear. "That can't be true because my attack rebounded from Siren and hit Mercury and Jupiter," she explained as her eyes met the floor.
"Well, Usagi is not evil as far as I can tell," Artemis joked as Minako shot a look towards the white cat. "It's true," Artemis pouted as he lay down, his tail curling up around him.
"Artemis has a point," Rei echoed. "Both attacks seem to have rebounded, so we can't be sure."
"I will see what I can find out about Sailor Star Storm then," Setsuna sighed as she finally dropped her arms to her side and her defensive stance. "Did you notice anyone in the park before you were attacked?"
Usagi panicked, nervously chewing on her lip as she thought of the tall blonde who pulled her out of the way of the attack with moments to spare. Not to mention the strange vision she had just before that.
"What happened to the classmate you mentioned before?" Setsuna remembered, raising a questionable eyebrow.
"I'm not sure. We got separated when you arrived." Setsuna released a heavy breath as she rubbed her forehead.
"We will need to find out if they saw anything," the tall senshi grumbled. Usagi watched her curiously, unable to recall the last time she saw Setsuna flustered. Raising her head, garnet eyes studied the short blonde before turning to seek Minako. "Since it is a classmate, Minako, it would be better if you approach them. Usagi, who did you see in the park?"
"Um, it was Haruka Tenoh," Usagi mumbled as she turned to the ground. Guilt filled her for putting her under the lens like this. The musician already has the graded secret of her gender that Usagi was determined to help protect. What else could come to light with the other scouts poking around?
~*~*~
Usagi stared endlessly at her workbook. The problems seemed to be impossible without Ami. She hoped that both of them recovered soon. Then, as her stomach growled, she blushed and placed her hand on her abdomen.
"I didn't know your brain didn't work without food," Rei teased as she looked at the blank workbook.
"It's alright, Usagi," Minako agreed. "Snacks are my math food as well."
"Don't you mean brain fuel?" Rei sneered as she wore a challenging smirk.
"It's not that," Usagi sighed, halting the incoming argument. They had returned to the shrine to get some homes to work done and distract Usagi from the resting senshi.
"Okay, maybe it's a little bit of that," Usagi blushed as her stomach grumbled again. "I'm just worried about Ami and Makoto."
"Don't worry. Luna says that they will be fine. They're just resting to recover their strength. But, you know them, once they wake up, they will want to get some revenge," Rei smiled in an attempt.
"Especially Makoto," Minako winked.
"Now that you mention it," Rei shifted as she set down her study book. "Why were you at the park with Haruka?"
"Yeah, I didn't know you two were friends," Minako added with a pout. "I wouldn't mind being his friend. Maybe he could introduce me to Yaten," she cooed as she stared into some unseen vision.
"Minako has a point," Rei spat as she tapped Minako on the back of her head to break her daydream. "Since when did you become friends with any of the Four Lights?"
"You didn't seem interested in being their friends before," Minako pondered. "What changed?"
"Nothing changed," Usagi rebutted. "I just happened to run into him. It's not like I went looking for him," she defended as she scrunched her nose. She wasn't looking for Haruka. She just showed up.
"Well, you don't have to worry about him!" Minako declared as she stood from the desk abruptly. "Detective Mina is on the case! But first, I'll find out if he has a secret crush on you!"
"Uhh—"
"Don't be silly, Mina. She has Mamoru. If anyone else has a crush on Usagi, they are in for a rude awakening."
"Speaking of Mamoru," Minako shifted as she looked down at the still-seated blonde. "How is he doing? Has he found any good parties in America?"
"Oh, well—"
"You stupid blonde!" Rei cried. "He's there to study! And you're not helping by suggesting that he is doing anything but working hard!"
"Ano, I'm going to head home," Usagi muttered as she put her workbook back in her bag. Both Minako and Rei froze as they watched the pig-tailed blonde stand. Usagi looked at her friends standing so close, their war of words interrupted by her departure.
"Do you want us to walk you home?" Rei asked, her tone softened.
"Are you kidding? You hear Setsuna! We—"
"I'll be fine. I'd just like some time to clear my head." Usagi smiled. "I'll call as soon as I arrive home."
"Alright, but no detours!" Minako demanded as she raised a finger toward the shorter blonde.
"I promise," Usagi smiled as she slipped her bag over her shoulder. The two silently watched as she left before Minako turned to the miko.
"You sense it too, huh?" Minako whispered.
"I do. Her heart is calling to someone. And that may be how the enemy found her. But who is she calling to?"
"It's obvious. She is missing Mamoru."
"Possibly, but I have never seen her this lost before. We didn't know how to get him back all the times he was kidnapped. It was never like this."
"We will need to keep an eye on her. And I need to find out what Haruka Tenoh knows," Minako remembered, determination setting in her eyes.
"We'll find out what he knows, and what his intentions are," Rei added with a wink.
"Nani? What do you mean we?" Minako asked, a mix of disappointment and curiosity filling her blue eyes.
"I have a brilliant plan," Rei smirked.
~*~*~
Yaten smiled as she lowered the lens from her eyes before glancing down at the display screen. She had met with the photography club members in the morning, who in turn provided some great suggestions of where the morning light was perfect. Taking the step to the side to line up the flower bush she was currently focused on, she checked the viewfinder. The mixture of green and pink leaves and petals appeared as if they were vanishing down the archway in the distance. Pleased with her composition, she tucked her camera back in the bag as she glanced around the garden.
It was pleasing to know the school had such lovely gardens; as a bonus for her, she was in sight of the athletic fields. Watching as the tall blonde jogged around the track, her ponytail and the running club members trailing behind her, she smiled. Just inside the path was the football field, a black haired singer running with the ball and her teammates trailing. Suddenly Seiya sped up as she darted down the field toward the goalpost. Yaten wasn't the only one who noticed, as Haruka suddenly picked up her pace. The silver haired photographer pulled her camera back out, deciding they were both determined to get to the top of the field first. Her grin grew slightly as she was going to get a great picture of the loser.
"Yaten!" The voice sounded beside her as she jumped, juggling her camera. With her equipment secure, lime green eyes narrowed dangerously to her side. When she saw the bubbly blonde from her class, her demeanor did not improve.
"Are you taking photos?" Minako inquired.
"Not anymore," she snorted. A deep laugh caught her attention. Glancing towards the field, she saw the blonde with her arms stretched in the air as she rounded the top of the running loop. She could only see the back of a raven haired singer but could guess that Haruka had won their little race. Disappointed that she missed it, but deciding it wasn't worth wasting her film, she turned her back towards the girl. "I'm positively done now," she yawned, indicating her disinterest in the conversation.
As lime green eyes looked up, she noticed a raven haired student she hadn't seen before. Her beauty was striking, and she was sure she would have noticed if she had such completion.
"Oh, I see you haven't met Rei!" Minako cheered as she moved in front of the musician. "Rei Hino, this is Yaten Kou from my class!" The blonde made introductions as the girl smiled at her.
"You don't even go here?" Yaten's voice jeered as she finally blinked the realization. She would have remembered this girl, and although she wore the uniform, she most likely didn't attend school. Rei looked started, the silver haired student crossing her arms with the confidence that she caught the girl.
"I don't," Rei sighed, one hand grasping her forearm shyly. "I just wanted to meet Haruka Tenoh," she added without meeting Yaten's stare.
"Ah, you're looking to confess?" Yaten teased, a smirk growing on her lips. "Haruka is leading the running club in their practice at the track." She added, considering if she may get her photo of a disappointed reaction after all.
"Oh no, I'm not here to confess," Rei smirked as she stared directly into lime green eyes. A chill ran down Yaten's spine at the stare, but she didn't dare yield.
"So you already have someone else in your heart?" The photographer teased.
"You're right," Minako chimed in. "There has always been one person we both swore to live for."
"Minako!" Rei chastised the blonde's outburst. She stopped when she saw a ghost of a smile on Minako's lips.
"That's right," Rei added as she moved to stand next to Minako, gently taking her hand. "And because of that, we don't need boys to get along," she smirked. Yaten's smile grew wider. "Is that so bad?"
"No," Yaten replied between her barely-contained giggles. "In that case, I'll take you to Haruka," she gestured as she started walking to the field. Her amusement grew over the whole situation. As the two girls trailed behind her, she focused on them, their confessed love betraying them. They didn't lie when they said there was one person for who they lived. Yaten could feel it in their aura. These two must be sailor scouts along with Sailor Moon.
~*~*~
"Haruka!" Her name echoed in the wind as she turned to see the source. Blonde hair dancing in the wind caused her to pause, only to realize it was a different blonde than she had been hoping to see. She had been looking for Usagi all day, desperate to find if the feeling she felt the other day was still there. But the younger girl didn't seem to be in attendance today. She regretted how the Starlights disappeared after the battle, wondering if the girl was injured, and failed to realize it. Or if the green haired senshi was keeping her from them. She was certainly not happy to see her that night.
"Minako, hi!" She greeted as she jogged over to the waiting blonde, only then noticing the raven haired girl she had not seen before. The way the amethyst eyes roamed over her, she realized that although they had not been introduced, they had no doubt seen each other before. "Who is your friend? And where is Usagi? Is she not well?"
"I am Rei Hino," the girl volunteered as she leaned closer to the blonde. "The question is, who are you?" Haruka blinked in surprise, glancing toward Minako to check if this new girl was for real. She considered briefly that her fame with the band was all in her head with as many introductions she's made in the past few days.
"Eh? I'm Haruka Tenoh. Nice to meet you," she offered as she extended her hand toward Rei. The dark haired girl took the hand and shook it, her eyes never leaving the form.
"We'd like to speak with you about Usagi," Minako cut in with a hushed whisper. The blonde raised a questioning eyebrow as the younger girl turned and walked away.
"Everyone!" She called to the running club members as they watched curiously. "A sprint lap around the track, and then we're done for the day!"
"Yes, Senpai!" They cheered before sprinting away. Haruka scanned for where the two girls disappeared, spotting a whisp of blonde hair from beside the refreshment hut. She jogged towards the side of the building, Minako and Rei leaning against the brick.
"What took you so long?" Rei grumbled.
"Mmhmm, about that. It's difficult to read your mind on where you wanted to talk," Haruka teased.
"Mina!" Rei scolded the blonde shrugging sheepishly. Rei's frown remained when she turned her attention back to Haruka. Her focus was on the reason she had bothered coming to the school today. "Curious minds were wondering—"
"Do you have a crush on Usagi?" Minako squealed, unable to contain her curiosity. Teal eyes blinked in surprise. Haruka leaned back on her heels as Minako leaned closer. "You do, don't you? Why else would you be so flushed?"
"Maybe it's because someone is squealing in my face," Haruka growled as she pushed the younger girl away.
"If you weren't there to confess to Usagi, why did she meet you in the park?" Rei cut off Minako's squeals.
"She said she met me in the park?" Haruka repeated, wondering what else the younger girl told her friends about their encounter. "Where is the harm in two friends greeting each other?" The smirk grew on her lips as the younger girls blinked in surprise.
"You're friends with Usagi?" Rei asked incredulously, amethyst eyes daring the musician to make a claim again.
"About that," Haruka rubbed the back of her neck, unsure how to explain the familiarity she felt towards the younger girl without blowing her cover more than she already had. "I think I have met her before, and I was trying to uncover where in the hope of learning a little more about where I come from," the older blonde shrugged as it was Rei and Minako's turn to blink in surprise. She bit her lip, worried that she had said too much, as Minako gently took her arm.
"You are the adoptive brother of the Kou's because you don't know your parents?" Minako guessed as the tall blonde nodded.
"It's not something we share with fans," she sighed, a rarity of her unguarded feelings surfacing. "Since she looked familiar, I thought she might know something. But she ran away when someone attacked us. I was so worried she was injured, so I was looking for her today in class."
"Oh, Haruka! That is so sweet!" Minako sobbed. "I can understand why you don't share it with fans. They would be too busy crying instead of singing along to your songs." Rei rolled her eyes. "We should help get her to Usagi!" Minako declared!
"What?" Haruka blinked. "That's not necessary. I'm sure I'll see her in class," she waved her hands to dismiss the idea, dreading the thought of the silly girls getting involved.
"That's not true. You may not have met our friends Setsuna and Michiru, but they are like big sisters," Rei explained. "After what happened that night, they aren't likely to let her wander around alone for the time being." Haruka frowned curiously, silently guessing that one of them must have been the green haired woman that threatened her that night.
"We'll need to get you to Usagi without them finding out," Minako sighed.
"I'll be able to sneak her away," Rei confidently dismissed the other's concern.
"No way. Setsuna is already mad at you for letting her go to the park alone!" Minako scolded. "I, however, have a brilliant plan!"
"More like a over-complicated plan!" Rei growled.
"My plans are always a success!" Minako proudly declared. "I'm the goddes—"
"Okay! Time out!" Haruka yelled, her hands making a t above her head. "I'm sure you both have great plans, but don't you think I should be a part of the plan?" Both girls nodded in agreement. "Okay then. I'll simply get you backstage passes to the next show. They couldn't follow her if they wanted to," Haruka nodded in satisfaction. "I just need the two of you to get her there, and I'll take care of the rest."
"Do we get passes too?" Minako batted her eyes in anticipation.
"Fine, I'll make sure you have one," she sighed. This plan may work out in her favor. She'll have to make sure she adds something a little extra to her performance that night.
